An artery is considered aneurysmal when its diameter equals or exceeds 1.5 times the normal diameter (outer wall to outer wall)
True aneurysm
Composite layers of the vessel wall are intact but stretched
Majority of aortic and iliac aneurysms are true aneurysms
False aneurysm
Occurs when a hole in the arterial wall permits escape of blood which is subsequently confined by surrounding tissue
Mycotic aneurysm
Refers to infection related aneurysms
Arterial dissection
Occurs when blood enters the media through a defect (entry site) in the intima and dissects along the length of the artery
Intima may be stripped away in some parts and a new lumen (false lumen) may be formed
Blood may flow freely through both the true and false lumens
False lumen may compress the true lumen
False lumen may end up supplying branch vessels and the branch vessels may occlude when the false lumen occludes
Most aortic dissections originate from the thoracic aorta although localized abdominal dissection has been reported
Aneurysm neck
When applied to infrarenal aortic aneurysm refers to the distance between the more inferior of the renal arteries and the origin of the aneurysm
IMAGING FINDINGS
General Features
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
EVAR trial participants. Related Articles et al: Endovascular aneurysm repair versus open repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR trial 1): randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 365(9478):2179-86, 2005
Zwiebel WJ et al: Introduction to Vascular Sonography, 5th ed. Philadelphia, Elsevier Saunders. 529-69, 2005
Greenhalgh RM et al: Comparison of endovascular aneurysm repair with open repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR trial 1), 30-day operative mortality results: randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 364(9437):843-8, 2004
Related Anatomy
Loading...
Related Differential Diagnoses
Loading...
References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging Findings
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Aneurysm
An artery is considered aneurysmal when its diameter equals or exceeds 1.5 times the normal diameter (outer wall to outer wall)
True aneurysm
Composite layers of the vessel wall are intact but stretched
Majority of aortic and iliac aneurysms are true aneurysms
False aneurysm
Occurs when a hole in the arterial wall permits escape of blood which is subsequently confined by surrounding tissue
Mycotic aneurysm
Refers to infection related aneurysms
Arterial dissection
Occurs when blood enters the media through a defect (entry site) in the intima and dissects along the length of the artery
Intima may be stripped away in some parts and a new lumen (false lumen) may be formed
Blood may flow freely through both the true and false lumens
False lumen may compress the true lumen
False lumen may end up supplying branch vessels and the branch vessels may occlude when the false lumen occludes
Most aortic dissections originate from the thoracic aorta although localized abdominal dissection has been reported
Aneurysm neck
When applied to infrarenal aortic aneurysm refers to the distance between the more inferior of the renal arteries and the origin of the aneurysm
IMAGING FINDINGS
General Features
Ultrasonographic Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
EVAR trial participants. Related Articles et al: Endovascular aneurysm repair versus open repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR trial 1): randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 365(9478):2179-86, 2005
Zwiebel WJ et al: Introduction to Vascular Sonography, 5th ed. Philadelphia, Elsevier Saunders. 529-69, 2005
Greenhalgh RM et al: Comparison of endovascular aneurysm repair with open repair in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR trial 1), 30-day operative mortality results: randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 364(9437):843-8, 2004
STATdx includes over 200,000 searchable images, including x-ray, CT, MR, and ultrasound images. To access all images, please log in or subscribe.